Systems and methods for progressively displaying images in a viewer to create a video-like display of a rotating item

ABSTRACT

A system and method for progressively displaying images of an item to create a rotational video-like display. The displayed images are contained within multiple datasets that are received by a computing device. Each received dataset contains multiple images of the same item, with each image captured of the item from a different perspective as compared to the other images in the dataset. The different perspective can be captured, for example, around an axis of rotation that reflects the item at a particular angle of view. Once multiple images are received in a dataset, the images are progressively displayed to a user in a viewer by transitioning between individual images in a certain order so as to create the video-like display. The transitioning between individual images, including the speed of transition and selection of the next image to be displayed, can be controlled by the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/559,362, filed Sep. 15, 2017, which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

As mobile device users increasingly demand access to video on theirdevices, network limitations continue to impact the user experience fora number of reasons. One difficulty of viewing a video is the size ofthe video file and time that it takes to download. After a user requeststo view a video on a webpage, for example, the video must be downloaded,in part or in whole, before the video can begin playing. Depending onthe available bandwidth and download speed of the wireless network towhich a device is connected, this delay can be significant. Performanceproblems are further compounded as users gravitate to high resolutionvideos. For high resolution videos, the download time is longer becauseof the corresponding increase in file size. Finally, as the number ofmobile devices proliferate, and the number of devices attempting toaccess video on older generation networks increase, video performancefor all users decreases. The result is a suboptimal viewing experiencefor users because of the limitations of wireless networks to convey thedesired video data to user mobile devices in a timely fashion.

In addition to challenges in delivery to mobile devices, traditionalvideo files also restrict the viewing behavior of the user. For example,while a user may be able to generally pause, fast-forward, or rewind avideo file (e.g., an MP4-encoded file), there is no convenient way for auser to view the video in a frame-by-frame manner. Often, this is simplybecause of the encoding used to construct the video. Most video encodingmethods are designed to achieve bandwidth efficiency by encoding onlythe changes between frames, rather than storing each of the framesthemselves. When stored in this fashion, it is difficult for videoplayers to easily generate frames in both a forward or backward sequenceto allow a user to view each frame separately. Indeed, interactions likepanning and framing are not built-in to the video standards implementedby the currently available browsers (e.g., Internet Explorer, MozillaFirefox, etc.).

These challenges indicate a fundamental technological problem with theuser experience regarding the display of videos, particularly onwireless mobile devices. More specifically, the technological processused to store and retrieve files, and then to process and display thosefiles, is inefficient and results in a delay for the user. Because thisproblem specifically arises in the realm of computer networks, asolution rooted in computer technology to overcome these issues isneeded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a computing device in which asystem for displaying images of an item to create a video-like displayon a user interface may operate.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a suitable environmentin which the disclosed system may be implemented.

FIG. 3 is a representative user interface including a list of items anda system-generated viewer for displaying images of a selected item in avideo-like display.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for displaying images of an item tocreate a video-like display on a user interface.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a viewer displaying different perspectivesof an item.

FIG. 6 is a representative user interface including a viewer fordisplaying images of an item and details of resources that are requestedand downloaded over the network for display in the viewer.

FIG. 7 illustrates downloaded datasets that contain images of differentperspectives of an item.

FIG. 8 illustrates a user interface including multiple viewers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system and method for progressively displaying images of an item tocreate a rotational video-like display are disclosed. The displayedimages are contained within multiple datasets that are received by acomputing device. Each received dataset contains multiple images of thesame item, with each image captured of the item from a differentperspective as compared to the other images in the dataset. Thedifferent perspective can be captured, for example, around an axis ofrotation that reflects the item at a particular angle of view. Oncemultiple images are received in a dataset, the images can beprogressively displayed to a user in a viewer by transitioning betweenindividual images in a certain order so as to create the video-likedisplay. The transitioning between individual images, including thespeed of transition and selection of the next image to be displayed, canbe controlled by the user. As additional datasets are received by thecomputing device, additional images are added to the rotating display ofthe item. As the images contained therein are added to the rotatingdisplay, the display become progressively smoother until the user ispresented with a video-like display of the rotating item.

The rotational video-like display of an item, created by the sequentialdisplay of multiple images taken from different perspectives of theitem, enhances the user experience. Because each of the plurality ofdatasets containing the images is relatively small compared to mostvideo files, the images can be displayed on the user's deviceimmediately after the first (i.e., initial) dataset is received. Theuser does not need to wait for a large video file to download, in wholeor in part, before being able view the video-like display. Statedotherwise, instead of viewing a blank screen and waiting for videocontent to finish buffering, the user can view the rotational display ofthe item immediately after the first dataset is received.

Another feature of the present system is the ability to present a highresolution video-like display with minimal download time for the user.Unlike traditional systems which use a single video file and often needto sacrifice resolution to decrease the size and download time of thefile, the present system breaks the single video file into multipleindividual files that have much smaller file sizes. As such, even ifeach image for the present system is of the highest resolution, the filesize of the individual file for that image is still relatively smallcompared to the traditional single video file and can be downloadedquicker. Furthermore, because the video-like display is composed ofindividual images, as opposed to a single video file, users can also pan(i.e., scrub, frame) in a clockwise and/or counter-clockwise directionto a desired perspective of the item. Stated otherwise, the user canprovide a panning command directed to a desired direction or magnitudeof rotation to view the item at a desired perspective.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described. Thefollowing description provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding and enabling description of these embodiments. One skilledin the art will understand, however, that the present technology can bepracticed without many of these details. Additionally, some well-knownstructures or functions are not shown or described in detail, so as toavoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description of the variousembodiments.

The terminology used in the description presented below is intended tobe interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is usedin conjunction with a detailed description of certain specificembodiments of the present technology. Certain terms may even beemphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted inany restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as suchin this Detailed Description section.

FIGS. 1 and 2 and the following discussion provide a brief, generaldescription of suitable computing environments in which aspects of thepresent technology can be implemented. Although not required, aspectsand embodiments of the present technology will be described in thegeneral context of computer-executable instructions, such as routinesexecuted by a general-purpose computer, e.g., a server or personalcomputer. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that thepresent technology can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including Internet appliances, hand-held devices,wearable computers, cellular or mobile phones, multi-processor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, set-topboxes, mini-computers, mainframe computers, and the like. The presenttechnology can be embodied in a special purpose computer or dataprocessor that is specifically programmed, configured, or constructed toperform one or more of the computer-executable instructions explained indetail below. In some embodiments, the disclosed functionality may beimplemented by instructions encoded in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium.

The present technology can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments, where tasks or modules are performed by remote processingdevices, which are linked through a communications network, such as aLocal Area Network (“LAN”), Wide Area Network (“WAN”) or the Internet.In a distributed computing environment, program modules or sub-routinesmay be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. Aspectsof the present technology described below can be stored or distributedon computer-readable media, including magnetic and optically readableand removable computer discs, stored as firmware in chips (e.g.,Electrically-Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory chips, EEPROMchips), as well as distributed electronically over the Internet or overother networks (including wireless networks). Those skilled in therelevant art will recognize that portions of the present technology canreside on a server computer, while corresponding portions reside on amobile device. Data structures and transmission of data particular toaspects of the present technology are also encompassed within the scopeof the present technology.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating components of acomputing device 100, such as a desktop computer, smartphone, tabletcomputer, phablet, laptop, wearable computer, etc., in which theinterface for generating a video-like view of a rotating item may begenerated. As shown in FIG. 1, the computing device 100 includes aprocessor 101, an input component 103, a data storage component 105, adisplay component 107, and a communication component 109. The processor101 is configured to couple with and control other components in thecomputing device 100. The computing device 100 can communicate withother systems (e.g., Web servers or other devices) through thecommunication component 109 via a network 111. In some embodiments, thecomputing device 100 can communicate with an output device (e.g.,printers, speakers, tactile output devices, etc.) through thecommunication component 109. Network 111 can be any private or publicnetwork, such as the Internet, a corporate intranet, a wirelesscommunication network, or a wired communication network.

The input component 103 is configured to receive an input (e.g., aninstruction or a command) from a device user. The input component 103can include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, a touchscreen, amicrophone, a joystick, a pen, a game pad, a scanner, a camera, and/orthe like. The data storage component 105 can include any type ofcomputer-readable media that can store data accessible to the processor101. In some embodiments, the data storage component 105 can includerandom-access memories (RAMs), read-only memories (ROMs), flash memorycards, magnetic hard drives, optical disc drives, digital video discs(DVDs), cartridges, smart cards, etc.

The display component 107 is configured to display information to themobile device user. In some embodiments, the display component 107 caninclude flat panel displays such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs),light emission diode (LED) displays, plasma display panels (PDPs),electro-luminescence displays (ELDs), vacuum fluorescence displays(VPDs), field emission displays (FEDs), organic light emission diode(OLED) displays, surface conduction electron emitter displays (SEDs), orcarbon nano-tube (CNT) displays.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an environment 200 in which thesystem for generating an interface for displaying images of an item tocreate a rotational video-like display may operate. The environment 200can include one or more server computers 201 that access data stores 202containing information on a plurality of unique items. The servercomputers 201 communicate with computing devices 100 via a network 205.The computing devices 100 may send search queries to the servercomputers 201 pertaining to the unique items. The search queries areprocessed by the server computers 201 against the data in the datastores 202. The server computers 201 may retrieve, analyze, and/orformat (e.g., in datasets) unique item information that is responsive tothe received search queries. The server computer 201 transmits dataresponsive to the search queries to a requesting computing device 100through the network 205. The network 205 can include the Internet, anintranet, a wireless communication, or a wired communication.

The server computer 201 includes a query processing component 211, awebsite management component 212, an image serving component 213, and adatabase management component 214. The query component 211 is configuredto perform query processing and analysis. The website managementcomponent 212 is configured to handle creation, display and/or routingof suitable information in the form of web pages. The image servingcomponent 213 is configured to serve sets of images as described hereinin a manner that generates a video-like display of an item. The imageserving component 213 may be separate from, or incorporated within, thewebsite management component 212. The database management component 214is configured to manage access to and maintenance of data stores 202.The server computer 201 can employ security measures (e.g., firewallsystems, secure socket layers (SSL), password protection schemes,encryption, and/or the like) to inhibit malicious attacks and topreserve integrity of the information stored in the data stores 202.

The computing device 100 may include one or more programs that submitqueries to the server computers and receive responsive results. Forexample, a browser application 207 on a mobile device 204 is configuredto access and exchange data with the server computer 201 through thenetwork 205. Results of data queries may be displayed in a browser(e.g., Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.) of the mobiledevice 204 for viewing by the device user. Similarly, a browserapplication 217 on a desktop computer 203 is configured to access andexchange data with the server computer 201 through the network 205, andthe results of the data queries may be displayed in the browser forreview by the device user. As another example, a dedicated application209 on the mobile device 204 is configured to display or presentreceived information to a mobile device user via the application. Datamay be received from the server computer 201 via an applicationprogramming interface (API), and the received data formatted for displayby the application on the computing device 100. The server computer 201and the computing device 100 can include other programs or modules suchas an operating system, one or more productivity application programs(e.g., word processing or spread sheet applications), and the like.

FIG. 3 is a screenshot of a representative user interface 300 thatincludes a list of items and a system-generated viewer for displayingimages of a selected item in a video-like display. The particular userinterface shown in FIG. 3 is directed to an interface that allows a userto search for particular gemstones for purchase. The interface 300includes a list of gemstones 313 and a viewer 301 for displaying imagesof a selected gemstone, such as a gemstone 302 that corresponds to adescriptive row 311 in the list of gemstones 313. The list of gemstones313 is displayed in tabular form and includes different attributes usedto describe gemstones generally. Each row of the gemstone list 313includes attributes such as shape, carat, cut, color, clarity, price,etc. of the corresponding gemstone. The list of displayed gemstones mayresult from, for example, a search by a user of gemstones having desiredcharacteristics. The displayed gemstones can be filtered according toany of the attributes to help a user find a desired gemstone.

After selecting a particular gemstone in the list of gemstones 313, auser is presented with a variety of options to view the selectedgemstone 302 in a viewing window 310 of the viewer 301. Five controlbuttons 321A-321E control the type of display that is presented in theviewer 301. By selecting button 321A, the system presents the gemstone302 as a 360 degree video-like display in the viewing window 310. Byselecting button 321B, the system presents a top view image of thegemstone in viewing window 310, meaning a single image taken from abovethe gemstone. By selecting buttons 321C or 321D, the system presents atop view diagram or a side view diagram, respectively, in the viewingwindow 310. Top view or side view diagrams are diagrammatic figures ofthe gemstone depicting, for example, the shape or the location ofimperfections within the gemstone. Finally, by selecting button 321E,the gemstone image or diagram is replaced in the viewing window 310 withthe GIA specification 329 of the gemstone. By selecting differentcontrol buttons, the user is thereby able to quickly switch betweendesired views or information about the same gemstone.

When the 360 degree video-like display of the gemstone is selected by auser, additional controls are displayed in the viewer 301 to provide theuser with further control over the displayed images. In particular, theviewer 301 includes a pan forward button 307, a pan backward button 303and a pause/play button 305. When first presented to the user, thegemstone 302 is depicted by the system as rotating about a vertical axisof the gemstone in the viewing window 310 so that all sides of thegemstone are presented to a user. By selecting the pause/play button305, the user can stop the rotation of the gemstone. The user canmanually control the rotation of the gemstone in a fine-grained mannerusing the pan forward button 307 and pan backward button 303. A user canmanually select the pan forward button 307 to change the display of thegemstone 302 from a first image with a first perspective to a secondimage with a second perspective. The pan forward button 307 causes arotation of the gemstone 302 in the viewing window in a first rotationaldirection, such as in a clockwise direction, by causing sequentialimages of the gemstone that have been captured from a perspective of oneto 360 degrees to be displayed. The pan backward button 303 has similarfunctionality to the pan forward button 307, in that the pan backwardbutton 303 changes the display of gemstone 302 from a first image with afirst perspective to a second image with a second proximate perspective.The pan backward button 303, however, causes a rotation of the gemstone302 in the viewing window in a second rotational direction, such as in acounter-clockwise direction, by causing sequential images of thegemstone that have been captured from a perspective of 360 to onedegrees to be displayed.

The forward and backward panning of the displayed image can also beexecuted by selecting any point within the display area 310 and draggingthe selection in a substantially horizontal direction. For example, auser can click and hold a cursor (e.g., controlled by a mouse) withinthe display area 310, and move the cursor towards the left side of thedisplay area 310 to transition the displayed image in a clockwisedirection to a desired perspective of the gemstone 302. Similarly, theuser can move the cursor towards the right side of the display area 310to transition the displayed image in a counter-clockwise direction to adesired perspective of the gemstone 302. Alternatively, on a device withtouchscreen capability, the user can perform these same panning actionsby contacting the touchscreen at a first point and dragging left orright to a second point. In any of these embodiments, the devicereceives a panning command directed to a desired direction of rotationand a magnitude of rotation. Notably, the operation of the viewer'sfunctional features does not affect its ability to perform other tasks.For example, as explained below, the computing device can simultaneouslyreceive additional datasets including images at different perspectivesand continue updating the display while a user is panning.

As previously noted, a user can manually select the pause button 305 topause the rotation of the selected gemstone 302 in the video-likedisplay. The pause button 305 freezes the display in the viewing windowat a single image. When a display is paused, the icon on the pausebutton 305 changes to a play button, which can be selected tore-initiate progressively displaying images in the video-like display.In some embodiments, a user can also pause the video-like display byselecting either of the pan forward 307 or pan backward 303 buttons.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method 400 for displaying images ofan item to create a video-like display on a user interface. Although thedepicted method shows communication between a user device and a server,depending on various needs, the method 400 can be implemented by anysuitable system (e.g., the computing device 100 or the server computer201 discussed above) to generate the video-like display. The method 400starts at block 405, in which a user device transmits a request toreceive a video-like display related to a particular item, such as agemstone, ring, or piece of jewelry. The item may be identified by auser using one or more traditional item discovery techniques, such assearch, browse, recommendations, or the like, or may be selected by theuser device. At block 410, the server receives the request to generatethe video-like display. At block 415, the server identifies a set ofdatasets which depict the selected item from different perspectives. Thedifferent perspectives can be captured, for example, around an axis ofrotation that reflects the item at a particular angle of view. As willbe described in additional detail herein, the datasets are sequentiallytransmitted to the user device to allow the user device to begin todisplay the item in a video-like display prior to receiving all of thedatasets.

At block 420, the server transmits the first dataset associated with theselected item to the user device. The images in the first datasetrepresent the item at different perspectives around an axis of rotationcompared to each of the other first images. For example, the firstdataset may include images of the item at perspectives of 90 degrees,180 degrees, 270 degrees and 360 degrees. When displayed to a user, thedifferent perspectives allow the user to view the item from differentviewpoints to get a more comprehensive view of the item. As such, thedifferent perspectives aid the user to better assess the item, such asby being able to better view particular inclusions and/or imperfectionsthat may be present in a gemstone. In some embodiments, the images arenot contained in the dataset, but rather are sent as individual images.In such embodiments, the images are individually received by the userdevice.

At block 425, the user device receives the first dataset containingimages of the item. Receiving the first dataset can comprise downloadingthe first dataset to, for example, the data storage component on theuser computing device. In some embodiments, receiving a dataset allowsimages contained in the dataset to be incorporated in a display queue ofthe viewer.

At block 430, the user device progressively displays the first images ina viewer, such as the viewer 301 described with respect to FIG. 3. Theviewer displays the received first images one at a time and transitionsbetween the images to create the video-like display. The viewer candisplay the first images in a particular order depending on the desiredrotation of the item on the screen (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwiserotation). For example, if the first dataset includes four first imagesat perspectives of 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees and 360 degrees,the viewer can display the first images so that the item rotates in aclockwise direction by displaying, in order, the 90 degree image, the180 degree image, the 270 degree image and the 360 degree image.Alternatively, the viewer can also display the first images so that theitem rotates in a counter-clockwise direction by displaying, in order,the 360 degree image, the 270 degree image, the 180 degree image and the90 degree image. Display of the first images in the viewer iscontinuously repeated until an action is taken by the user. When onlythe first dataset is being displayed to a user, the video-like displaymay appear jerky, as only a limited number of images having differentperspectives of the item have been received and the perspective betweeneach image may differ from the next image by a large number of degrees(e.g., a transition from a 90 degree image of an item to an 180 degreeimage). As additional images are received and incorporated into thedisplay queue of the viewer, the transition between degrees for each ofthe images decreases and the display becomes smoother. While four images(at 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees) are described in this example, itwill be appreciated that the first dataset may have more or less images.Typically, the images will be equally spaced (as measured byperspective) and therefore received in groups that are equal devisors of360 degrees. For example, 6 images may be received (at 60, 120, 180,240, 300, and 360 degree perspectives) or 8 images may be received (at45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, 315, and 360 degrees).

At block 435, the server transmits a second dataset to the user device.The images in the second dataset represent the item at differentperspectives around an axis of rotation compared to each of the otherimages in the dataset. Moreover, the images in the second dataset areinterleaved in perspective from the images transmitted in the firstdataset. For example, if first dataset includes images of the item atperspectives of 90, 180, 270 and 360 degrees, the second dataset wouldinclude images of the item taken at perspectives of 45, 135, 215, and315 degrees.

At block 440, the user device receives the second dataset which includessecond images corresponding to the item. Each of the second imagesrepresents the item at a different perspective compared to the firstimages from the first dataset and also from the other second images inthe second dataset. Receiving the second dataset can comprisedownloading the second dataset to the same storage location as the firstdataset previously downloaded. As such, images from the second datasetcan be incorporated into the display queue of the viewer. The seconddataset can be received simultaneously with the first dataset, or anytime after the first dataset is received. Because the first dataset isalready displayed to the user, the user is able to view and interactwith the displayed item prior to the images from the second datasetbeing displayed.

At block 445, the user device displays the first and second images inthe viewer. The viewer progressively displays each of the received firstand second images in a particular order depending on the desiredrotation (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise) of the item. The viewercan immediately display any dataset once it has been received, allowing,for example, the first dataset to be displayed prior to receipt of thesecond dataset. Display of the first and second images in the viewer canbe continuously repeated to give the impression of the item continuingto rotate in the viewer.

After transmitting the first and second datasets, the server continuesto transmit dataset to the user device until all datasets containingimages of the item have been delivered. The datasets may be transmittedwithout confirmation of receipt by the user device, or the user devicemay signal when a dataset has been received without error and requestthe delivery of the next dataset. At block 450, the server transmits anNth dataset (e.g., 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc.) to the user device. The imagesin the Nth dataset represent the item at different perspectives aroundthe axis of rotation compared to each of the other images in thedataset. Moreover, the images in the Nth dataset are interleaved inperspective from the images transmitted in the prior datasets. Becausethe images are intended to be interleaved with the prior images thathave been transmitted to the user device, the number of images in eachdataset may increase with each successive dataset. Using the priorexample, if four images are each transmitted in the first and seconddataset, the third dataset may contain eight images (each taken at aperspective interleaved between the eight images already delivered in inthe first and second datasets). As a result, each successive dataset mayincrease in transmission size.

At a block 455, the user device displays the Nth received dataset in theviewer. The viewer progressively displays each of the received images ina particular order depending on the desired rotation (e.g., clockwise orcounter-clockwise) of the item. As additional datasets are received bythe user device, the display of the rotating item continues to increasein quality until the item appears to be seamlessly rotating in avideo-like manner.

The depicted method 400 shown in FIG. 4 represents just one embodimentof how a user device can communicate with a server in accordance withthe present technology. In other embodiments, the operations of method400 can be altered while still maintaining a similar functionality. Forexample, instead of transmitting only a single data set at a time fromthe server to the user device (e.g., blocks 420, 435, 450), the servercan send all of the datasets at once (e.g., at block 420). In such anembodiment, the user device would then sort and display the differentdatasets and images in the correct order. As another example, instead oftransmitting just a single request to the server (e.g., block 405), theuser device can transmit multiple requests in series. In such anembodiment, each request for a subsequent dataset may be transmitted bythe user device only after the previous dataset is received and/ordisplayed by the user device.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of screenshots 501 a-501 h of the viewerwindow 310 and associated controls captured at different times to depictthe rotation of a displayed gemstone 502. The screenshots 501 a-501 hdepict images of a gemstone 502 at different perspectives 520 a-hrelative to an axis of rotation 530. As shown in FIG. 5, the axis ofrotation 530 is along a vertical axis. In other embodiments, the axis ofrotation 530 can be along a horizontal axis or along an offset axis. Theaxis of rotation 530, around which the perspective of each image isbased, can be along any portion of the gemstone 502, including the base,middle, or tip. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the axis of rotation530 is along a middle portion of the gemstone 502. In contrast, in FIG.7, the axis of rotation is along the base of the gemstone.

The screenshots 501 a-501 h collectively show the gemstone 502 rotatingaround the axis of rotation 530 in a clockwise direction. Screenshot 501a shows an image of the gemstone 502 at a first perspective 520 a,screenshot 501 b shows an image of the gemstone 502 at a secondperspective 520 b, screenshot 501 c shows an image of the gemstone 502at a third perspective 520 c, screenshot 501 d shows an image of thegemstone 502 at a fourth perspective 520 d, screenshot 501 e shows animage of the gemstone 502 at a fifth perspective 520 e, screenshot 501 fshows an image of the gemstone 502 at a sixth perspective 520 f,screenshot 501 g shows an image of the gemstone 502 at a seventhperspective 520 g, and screenshot 501 h shows an image of the gemstone502 at an eighth perspective 520 h. The sequential display andtransition between the images of the gemstone 502 create a video-likerotational display for the user to view.

FIG. 6 is a screenshot of a user interface 600 including the viewerwindow 310 and a tools window 610 for displaying details of resourcesthat are requested and downloaded over a network connecting the serverand the user device. The tools window 610 depicts information for eachnetwork operation related to a delivered webpage to the user device,such as timing and characteristics of delivered files. The tools window610 shown in FIG. 6 includes eight different files (respectively, files601, 603, 605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615) that have been received by theuser's computing device. Details of each file can include, for example,files names, timing data, file sequencing, etc. More specifically, thetools window 610 depicted in FIG. 6 includes the request method 621(e.g., GET, POST, etc.), the name of the file being received 623 (e.g.,1.json, 2.json, etc.), the domain from which the file was received 625(e.g., bluenile.v360.in, www.bluenile.com, etc.), the type of file beingreceived 627 (e.g., octet-stream, html, gif, css, png, jpeg, etc.), theamount of file data transferred from the domain to the computing device629 (expressed, for example, in kilobytes), the size of the file 631(e.g., kilobytes), and the time to download a file 633 (e.g., inmilliseconds). The tools window 610 also contains a timing diagram 633,which visually depicts when each file was received by the user deviceand the relative length of that reception. For example, as shown in thetiming diagram 633 of FIG. 6, the 0.json file took 2148 ms to download,before the download of the 1.json file began. The 1.json file took 740ms to download, before the 2.json file download started. After the firstthree files are received (0.json, 1.json, 2.json), the remaining filesare downloaded in parallel. Although downloaded in parallel, certainfiles (e.g., 4.json) are downloaded more quickly in their entirety thanother files (e.g., 6.json).

One benefit of the disclosed system and method is that each dataset andthe images included therein can be displayed to the user as soon as thecorresponding dataset is received, without waiting for subsequentdatasets. Instead of requiring the user to wait for an entire video fileto be downloaded, or alternatively an entire file including a pluralityof images that represent a video-like display to be downloaded, theimages that comprise the final video-like display in the presentapplication are separated into different, smaller datasets, therebyfacilitating quicker downloads and use. That is, by separating theimages into a plurality of individual datasets, the initial images canbe displayed to a user and allow the user to view an initial video-likedisplay soon after requesting a page and before receipt of all imagedata. As subsequent datasets are received, the display will continuallyimprove from what may initially be a jerky display to a smoothvideo-like display.

The disclosed method and system can be explained in further detail withspecific regard to gemstones and the user interface 600. As illustratedin the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, eight files 601, 603, 605, 607, 609,611, 613, 615 are shown as being downloaded by a browser application. Inthe depicted example, each of the files is a JAVASCRIPT Object Notation(JSON) object file. The files 601, 603, 605, 607, 609, 611, 613, 615 arelisted in order of the time that each file begins to be received. Forexample, the download of 1.json is started before the download of2.json, which is started before 3.json, which is started before 4.json,etc. Each file may begin to be downloaded while the previous file isstill downloading or after the previous file is completely downloaded.For example, 2.json may begin to be downloaded any time after 1.jsonbegins downloading. Each .json file includes a dataset having aplurality of objects, and each plurality of objects includes images thatcorrespond to different perspectives of an item (e.g., a gemstone). Forexample, 1.json may include four images of a gemstone taken atperspectives of 90, 180, 270 and 360 degrees. Once the 1.json datasethas been downloaded, the images contained in the dataset can beimmediately displayed to the user in the viewer 301. As previouslydescribed, the images are progressively displayed in the viewer 301,such that the viewer displays an image and then transitions in order toa subsequent image having a perspective that is proximate to thepreviously-displayed image. As such, the viewer 301 would display, forexample, the image of the gemstone taken at a perspective of 90 degreesand transition, in order, to the images of the gemstone corresponding to180 degrees, 270 degrees, and 360 degrees. At or after the time that the1.json dataset begins to be downloaded, the 2.json can begin todownload. The 2.json dataset includes images at different perspectivesfrom the 1.json dataset. For example, 2.json may include four images ofthe gemstone taken at perspectives of 135, 225, 315 and 45 degrees. Insome embodiments, the perspectives of each subsequent dataset can beequally spaced between perspectives of images from previously receiveddatasets. In other embodiments, the perspectives of subsequent datasetscan be random. The 2.json dataset is downloaded and the images containedtherein are immediately displayed to the user in the viewer 301 alongwith the images from the 1.json dataset, which are already beingdisplayed. As such, the images from 2.json are incorporated into adisplay queue of the viewer as they are received. The viewer 301continues to progressively display the downloaded images by displayingan individual image and transitioning in an order to a subsequent imagehaving a perspective that is most proximate to the previously displayedimage. For example, in this particular embodiment, if the viewerdisplays the image with a perspective of 180 degrees, the next imagedisplayed could be the image with a perspective of 225 degrees or 135degrees. At or after the time that the 2.json dataset begins to bedownloaded, the 3.json dataset can begin to download. The 3.json datasetmay include eight images at different perspectives from images containedin the 1.json and 2.json datasets. For example, the 3.json dataset mayinclude images at perspectives of 112.5, 157.5, 202.5, 247.5, 292.5,337.5, 22.5 and 67.5 degrees. The downloading process continues untilall of the datasets (e.g., 4.json, 5.json, 6.json, 7.json) and imagesincluded therein are downloaded. In some embodiments, the 4.json datasetcan include 16 images, the 5.json dataset can include 32 images, the6.json dataset can include 64 images, and the 7.json dataset can include128 images. In such an embodiment, 256 total images are received of thegemstone 602 around a 360 degree scale to create the rotationalvideo-like display of the gemstone. In some embodiments, the speed ofrotation of the displayed gemstone, measured as the time needed toprogressively display all 256 received images, is about eight seconds,and the download time for all 256 images is about six seconds.

The parameters associated with receiving and displaying of item imagescan vary in order to optimize the display for a desired application.Stated otherwise, a retailer displaying its product with the viewerdescribed above may desire a greater number of images to be delivered ininitial datasets, thereby improving the quality of the initial displayof the item but leading to a slower initial display time. As such, theretailer may design its viewer with different parameters and/or factorsthan those described above. For example, a different number of datasets(e.g., 10, 20, 30, etc.), images per file (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, etc.),and total images (e.g., 512, 1024, etc.) than that described in theabove embodiments may be used to provide a different user interfaceexperience according to a particular application. Similarly, the methodby which datasets are received may also vary. For example, instead ofreceiving only a single dataset per request, a request to receivemultiple datasets may be made. Other factors associated with the viewer(e.g., the speed of transition between images, total download time,etc.) can also be varied based on desired needs.

FIG. 7 conceptually illustrates datasets that include sets of imagesreflecting different perspectives of an item. Each block 710, 720, 730represents a JSON dataset (e.g., 1.json, 2.json and 3.json) that istransmitted for display on the viewer 401. Each dataset containsmultiple images 701 a-d, 703 a-d, 705 a-h taken of an item that islocated at an axis of rotation 740 at the center of each block 710, 720,and 730. Each image is taken of the object from a different perspectiveof the object, as measured on a 360 degree scale. Block 710, forexample, represents the 1.json dataset and includes four images 701 a-d.Image 701 a is captured at a perspective of 90 degrees to the item,image 701 b is at a perspective of 180 degrees, image 701 c is at aperspective of 270 degrees, and image 701 d is at a perspective of 360degrees. Each image 701 a-d of the 1.json dataset is equally spacedaround the 360 degree scale. Block 720 represents the 2.json dataset andincludes four images 703 a-d. Image 703 a is captured at a perspectiveof 135 degrees to the item, image 703 b is at a perspective of 225degrees, image 703 c is at a perspective of 315 degrees, and image 703 dis at a perspective of 45 degrees. Each image 703 a-d of the 2.jsondataset is equally spaced around the 360 degree scale and locatedbetween images 701 a-d of the 1.json dataset. Block 730 represents the3.json dataset and includes eight images 705 a-h. Image 705 a iscaptured at a perspective of 112.5 degrees to the item, image 705 b isat a perspective of 157.5 degrees, image 705 c is at a perspective of202.5 degrees, image 705 d is at a perspective of 247.5 degrees, image705 e is at a perspective of 292.5 degrees, image 705 f is at aperspective of 337.5 degrees, image 705 g is at a perspective of 22.5degrees, and image 705 h is at a perspective of 67.5 degrees. Each image705 a-h of the 3.json dataset is equally spaced around the 360 degreescale and located between images 701 a-d of the 1.json dataset andimages 703 a-d of the 2.json dataset. Additional datasets (e.g., 4.json,5.json, 6.json, 7.json, etc.) could be represented by similar blockswith images placed around the axis of rotation 740 according to theperspective of each image.

FIG. 8 is a screenshot of a representative user interface that includesmultiple viewers. The user interface 800 includes four viewers 801, 803,805, 807, each of which can include a different gemstone 811, 813, 815,817. The user interface 800 can therefore be used to compare differentgemstones. Each viewer 801, 803, 805, 807 can progressively displayimages of the different gemstone to create a rotational video-likedisplay, as described above. Each viewer also has the functionality asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 3. A user can, for example, pause,pan forward and/or pan backward each of the individual viewers 801, 803,805, 807 irrespective of the other viewers on the user interface 800.Each viewer 801, 803, 805, 807 can also be configured such that itsdisplay is synchronized with that of the other viewers. For example, thedisplay of gemstone 811 in viewer 801 can be synchronized with thedisplay of gemstone 813 in viewer 803 such that the gemstones 811 and813 are displayed having the same perspective. When a synchronized viewis desired, only a single tool bar 819 with a pan forward button, a panbackward button, and a pause/play button may be displayed to control thedisplay in all viewers.

In general, the detailed description of embodiments of the presenttechnology is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the presenttechnology to the precise form disclosed above. While specificembodiments of, and examples for, the present technology are describedabove for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications arepossible within the scope of the present technology, as those skilled inthe relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes (or steps)or blocks are presented in a certain order, alternative embodiments canperform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in adifferent order, and some processes or blocks can be deleted, moved,added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. Each of these processes orblocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, whileprocesses or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series,these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or canbe performed at different times.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series ofitems, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items,modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e.,each item). The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection ofat least one of each item listed. Rather, the phrase allows a meaningthat includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least oneof any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of theitems. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B or C” refersto only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B and C; and/or atleast one of each of A, B, and C.

The teachings of the present technology provided herein can be appliedto other systems, not necessarily the system described herein. Forexample, while the various embodiments are described above with respectto display of search results of gemstones, those embodiments can beimplemented for display search results of other unique items such asused cars, art, as well as other less unique items, such as consumerelectronics, clothing/shoes, etc. The elements and acts of the variousembodiments described herein can be combined to provide furtherembodiments.

I/We claim:
 1. A computer-implemented method of displaying images of anitem to create a rotational display of the item on a user interface, thecomputer-implemented method comprising: receiving a first datasetincluding first images of an item, wherein each of the first imagesrepresents the item at a different perspective around an axis ofrotation compared to other first images; displaying the first images ina viewer, wherein the viewer progressively displays each of the receivedfirst images; receiving a second dataset including second images of theitem, wherein each of the second images represents the item at adifferent perspective around the axis of rotation compared to the firstimages and other second images; and displaying the first and secondimages in the viewer, wherein: the first images are displayed in theviewer prior to the second images; the viewer interleaves the display ofeach of the second images with the first images; and the perspective ofeach of the first and second images corresponds to a degree between onedegree and 360 degrees around the axis of rotation.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein progressively displayingthe first images comprises displaying the first images in an order basedon the perspective from one degree to 360 degrees around the axis ofrotation.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein: theperspectives of the first images are equally spaced apart around theaxis of rotation between one and 360 degrees, the perspectives of thesecond images are equally spaced apart around the axis of rotationbetween one and 360 degrees, and the perspectives of each of the secondimages is equally spaced between the perspectives of the first images.4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the first imagesinclude four images, and the second images include four images.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 4 wherein the first images are atperspectives of 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees, and the second images areat perspectives of 45, 135, 225, and 315 degrees.
 6. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising repetitivelydisplaying all of the first and second images.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receiving apanning command directed to a desired direction of rotation and amagnitude of rotation.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 5further comprising displaying the first and second images in an orderand at a speed proportional to the received panning command.
 9. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the item is at least oneof a gemstone, ring or jewelry.
 10. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1 wherein receiving the second dataset occurs after orsimultaneous to displaying the first images in the viewer.
 11. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein each of the first andsecond images is a JSON object.
 12. A system for displaying images of anitem to create a display of the item on a user interface, the systemcomprising: a communication component configured to communicate with anetwork; at least one processor on the user device; a data storagecomponent coupled to the processor and configured to receive a pluralityof datasets, wherein the plurality of datasets includes an initialdataset and at least one subsequent dataset, wherein the initial datasetincludes initial images of a gemstone and each subsequent datasetincludes subsequent images of the gemstone, and wherein each of theinitial and subsequent images represents the gemstone at a differentperspective around an axis of rotation between one and 360 degrees; anda display component coupled to the data storage component and beingconfigured to progressively display each of the initial and subsequentimages in a viewer, wherein the perspective of each of the initial andsubsequent images corresponds to a degree between one and 360 degreesaround the axis of rotation of the viewer.
 13. The system of claim 12wherein progressively displaying the initial images comprises displayingthe initial images in an order based on the perspective from one degreeto 360 degrees around the axis of rotation.
 14. The system of claim 12wherein the at least one subsequent dataset includes a first subsequentdataset received after the initial dataset, a second subsequent datasetreceived after the first subsequent dataset, and a third subsequentdataset received after the second subsequent dataset.
 15. The system ofclaim 12 wherein the display component is further configured to receivea panning command directed to a desired direction of rotation and amagnitude of rotation.
 16. The system of claim 15 further comprisingdisplaying the initial and subsequent images in an order and at a speedproportional to the received panning command.
 17. The system of claim 12wherein the data storage component is configured to receive thesubsequent dataset after or simultaneous to displaying the initialimages in the viewer.
 18. The system of claim 12 wherein the initialimages include four images and the at least one subsequent datasetincludes: a first subsequent dataset including four images; and a secondsubsequent dataset including eight images.
 19. The system of claim 12wherein each of the initial and subsequent images is a JSON object. 20.The system of claim 12 wherein: the perspectives of the initial imagesare equally spaced apart around the axis of rotation between one and 360degrees, the perspectives of the subsequent images are equally spacedapart around the axis of rotation between one and 360 degrees, and theperspectives of each of the subsequent images is equally spaced betweenthe degrees of initial images.
 21. The system of claim 12 wherein theinitial images include four images, and the subsequent images includefour images.
 22. The system of claim 21 wherein the initial images areat perspectives of 90, 180, 270 and 360 degrees, and the subsequentimages are at perspectives at 45, 135, 225 and 315 degrees.
 23. Thesystem of claim 12 wherein the viewer is configured to repeatedlydisplay the initial and subsequent images.